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Introduction: This paper describes a fictitious study of a fictitious drug. A companion paper in this issue of the Indian J Psychiatry critically examines this paper and provides author, reader, reviewer, and researcher perspectives on problems related to the design and conduct of a clinical trial; on issues related to the analysis of data; on how to write a research paper; and on how to critically read or review a journal article. Readers are invited to appraise this paper and then compare their assessment with that presented in the companion paper. Background: This study sought to compare the safety and efficacy of placeboxetine (PB) hydrochloride extended release capsules with sertraline hydrochloride in patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder in 15 general hospitals in south India. Materials and Methods: In a prospective, open-label, 15-center, randomized controlled clinical trial, consecutive outpatients diagnosed with major depressive disorder of at least moderate severity were randomized 1:1 to receive flexible doses of either PB or sertraline once each morning. Patients were evaluated every two weeks, until the study endpoint, using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and the Montgomery-Asberg Rating Scale (MADRS). Safety was determined through assessments of vital signs, adverse events, study discontinuation rates, hematological parameters, metabolic parameters, electrocardiography, and other measures. Results: Ten patients dropped out of the study from each treatment arm. There was a significant, marked improvement in HAM-D and MADRS scores in each group by the treatment endpoint. There was no significant difference between PB and sertraline groups on either HAM-D or MADRS at any visit. The response rate was 90% with PB and 92% with sertraline. The remission rate was 70% with PB and 75% with sertraline. All laboratory parameters were within normal limits in all patients. There were no serious adverse events. Conclusions: Placeboxetine is as safe and effective as sertraline in Indian patients with major depressive disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is over the last decade that research in this field of domestic violence has led to greater recognition of the issue as public health problem. The paper aims to study the prevalence of physical, psychological, and sexual violence and potential risk factors of the women confronting violence within the home in India. Materials and Methods: A multicentric study with analytical cross-sectional design was applied. It covers 18 states in India with 14,507 women respondents. Multistage sampling and probability proportion to size were done. Results: The result shows that overall 39 per cent of women were abused. Women who have a lower household income, illiterate, belonging to lower caste, and have a partner who drinks/bets, etc. found to be important risk factors and place women in India at a greater risk of experiencing domestic violence. Conclusion: As India has already passed a bill against domestic violence, the present results on robustness of the problem will be useful to sensitize the concerned agencies to strictly implement the law. This may lead to more constructive and sustainable response to domestic violence in India for improvement of women health and wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: India has the third-highest number of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the world. Early diagnosis can prevent HIV transmission and since a large proportion of the Indian population are likely to be seen in a dental setting, it may serve as an important site for early HIV diagnosis.Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge of HIV, attitudes, and willingness to conduct HIV testing among Indian dentists.Settings: A cross-sectional survey of 503 Indian dentists was conducted in Delhi, Gandhinagar, Bhubaneswar, and Hyderabad (representing low, moderate, and high HIV prevalence areas).Subjects and Methods: HIV knowledge was measured using the HIV-KQ-18, and attitudes and willingness were examined.Statistical Analysis Used: Descriptive analysis and Chi-square test were performed using SPSS version 21.Results: A third of the respondents had a high HIV knowledge score. High knowledge scores were positively associated with age group, level of education, and dental specialty. Over 73% were willing to deliver HIV-positive test results. Almost 80% of the respondents felt that rapid HIV testing was needed in a dental setting. Attitudes and willingness were found to be significantly related to the survey site suggesting cultural difference as an important factor in taking up HIV testing.Conclusions: General awareness of HIV among this sample of Indian dentists appears to be low. The findings from this study however suggest that Indian dentists have expressed a need for rapid HIV testing in dental setting with a strong emphasis on the need for further education on HIV testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Comprehensive understanding about the local antibiogram is an essential requirement for preparation of hospital or unit based antibiotic policy. Bacteremic isolates are the most useful ones for this purpose, representing invasive disease.Objective: To analyze susceptibility pattern of bacteremic Gram-negative isolates in our center, to various antibiotics, including beta lactam-beta lactamase inhibitor (BL-BLI) agents and carbapenem.Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study done in Apollo Specialty Hospital, a tertiary care oncology center in South India. The susceptibility of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas blood culture isolates, identified between January 2013 and June 2014 to various antibiotics were analyzed.Results: A total of 231-Gram-negative bacteremic isolates were analyzed. ESBL rate among E. coli isolates was 82.7% (67 out of 81) and 74.3% (58 out of 78) in Klebsiella. Carbapenem (imipenem) susceptibility rate in E. coli was 76.5%, Klebsiella 58.9%, Acinetobacter 32% and Pseudomonas 77.2%. Colistin susceptibility in E. coli was 96.2%, Klebsiella 93.5%, Acinetobacter 92.8% and Pseudomonas 97.7%. Difference in the susceptibility of Enterobacteriaceae to BL-BLI agents (especially cefepime-tazobactam) and carbapenem were minimal. In nonfermenters, BL-BLI susceptibility was better than that of carbapenem.Conclusion: Findings of the study make a strong argument for using BL-BLI agents and sparing carbapenem to curtail the spiraling scenario of carbapenem resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]